Leader Timeline

Summer 2020 Youth Programs

October 2019 – Application Available Online
The application for summer 2020 program leaders will be available online in late October 2019.

October 2019 to January 20, 2020 – Accepting Applications
World Learning Youth Exchange will be accepting 2020 program leader applications on a rolling basis between November 2019 and January 20, 2020. The leader hiring team will begin reviewing applications during this time period.

December 1, 2019 – Early Bird Application Deadline
Program leader applicants interested in completing the application process on an expedited timeline are invited to submit their applications by the December 1, 2019 (11:59pm EST) early bird deadline. Early bird application review and interviews will be held during the month of December. Selected early bird applicants will receive offers of employment in January 2020. Early bird applicants, who do not receive an offer of employment in January, may be deferred and processed with the full applicant pool in February. Both return and first time program leader applicants are eligible to submit early bird applications.

January 20, 2020 – Application Deadline
2020 program leader applications will be accepted through January 20, 2020 (11:59pm EST).

February to April 2020 – Application Review and Interview Period
During this time, the leader hiring team will review leader applications and will begin contacting qualified applicants to schedule interviews. The interview process may include two separate interviews: a preliminary self-recorded “1 way” interview and a live second-round interview with a member of the leader hiring team. A language check may be included for the Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program: Arabic.

April to May 2020 – Hiring and Leader Onboarding
Selected applicants will receive offer letters for 2020 program leader positions. While potential program placements will be discussed with applicants during the interview process, exact program placements are typically included with the leader’s offer letters.

Leaders will complete the required hiring paperwork, be introduced to their co-leader, and engage in several pre-training responsibilities, all of which can be completed remotely.

June 21–June 27, 2020 – Staff Training
All Leaders are required to attend the entirety of Staff Training, which takes place on the World Learning campus in Brattleboro, Vermont. Leaders will travel to Vermont on June 21 and programming begins that evening. Staff Training concludes the morning of June 27, at which time most Leaders will travel directly from Vermont to travel to their group’s US departure airport. Some leaders may have several days’ or weeks’ break between the end of training and the start of their assigned program, and will either stay on the World Learning campus or travel home.

Staff Training provides leaders with a professional development opportunity in intercultural training which will prepare them to implement successful programs using World Learning’s experiential learning pedagogy. Leaders will be trained on effective leadership practices, how to monitor participants’ safety and welfare, and how to administer the program logistics and budget. Leaders will benefit from the insight of past and present Leaders as well as World Learning’s professional network.

July–August 2020 – World Learning Youth Programs
World Learning Youth Programs are from three to four weeks in length, with some beginning immediately after Staff Training and others beginning later in the summer. More information about program dates will be provided throughout the application process.

August to September 2020 – Post Program Responsibilities
Leaders work with the Youth Exchange Operations team to provide feedback and evaluations on their program, including submission of finances and written reports due within two weeks of their program’s conclusion. All post-program responsibilities can be completed remotely. Leaders’ final pay stipend deposit is contingent upon completion of post-program responsibilities.